15 March 2010

In a piquant fundraising email to supporters Sunday -- hard-edged even for the Democrats' newest quote machine -- Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) went all out on former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

His remarks, which came after Palin criticized him during a trip to Florida, are perhaps the sharpest attack made on the former vice presidential candidate by a member of Congress.

Speaking in Orlando on Friday, Palin said she "got to meet quite a few candidates who are lining up in a contested primary who want to take out Alan Grayson."

She added: "What can you say about Alan Grayson? Piper is with me tonight, so I won't say anything about Alan Grayson that can't be said around children."

Grayson's email reply was straight to the point. He began by referring to Palin as "the former half-term Governor, current-nothing and future-even-less," and snapped, "Atypically, Palin was wearing clothes that she had paid for herself."

The email continues: "In response to Palin's attack on Rep Grayson, Grayson actually complimented Palin. Grayson praised Palin for having a hand large enough to fit Grayson's entire name on it. He thanked Palin for alleviating the growing shortage of platitudes in Central Florida. Grayson added that Palin deserved credit for getting through the entire hour-long program without quitting. Grayson also said that Palin really had mastered Palin's imitation of Tina Fey imitating Palin. Grayson observed that Palin is the most-intelligent leader that the Republican Party has produced since George W. Bush."

The Florida Democrat also introduced a reference to the recently released film, Alice in Wonderland.

What effect might Palin's criticism have? he asked rhetorically.

"As the Knave's horse says in Alice in Wonderland, 'dogs will believe anything,'" he replies. "I'm sure Palin knows all about politics in Central Florida, since from her porch she can see Winter Park," part of Grayson's district.

The email continues:

Grayson said that the Alaskan chillbilly was welcome to return to Central Florida anytime, as long as she brings lots of money with her, and spends it. "I look forward to an honest debate with Governor Palin on the issues, in the unlikely event that she ever learns anything about them," Grayson added, alluding to Politifact's "liar, liar, pants on fire" evaluation of much of what Palin has said .

Scientists are studying Sarah Palin's travel between Alaska and Florida carefully. They hope to learn more about the flight patterns of that elusive migratory species, the wild Alaskan dingbat.

Grayson's comparison of Palin to an elusive bird appears to be part of the congressman's flying animal repertoire: he used a bat as a metaphor for what he asserted was the "bloodthirsty" nature of former Vice President Dick Cheney in a TV appearance last October.

"I have trouble listening to what he says sometimes, because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he's talking," Grayson said on Hardball. "But my response is this: He's just angry because the president doesn't shoot old men in the face. But by the way, when he was done speaking, did he just then turn into a bat and fly away?"

Another memorable Grayson quote came the same month, when he said, "Fox News and their Republican collaborators are the enemy of America. They're the enemy of anybody who cares about health care in this country, the enemy of anybody who cares about educating their children, the enemy of anybody who wants energy independence or anything good for this country. And certainly the enemy of peace, there's no doubt about that. They are the enemy."

Last month, Mother Jones claimed that Grayson was spirited away during a coup in Niger by a Blackwater subsidiary, a company he has railed against, but it didn't stop him from rebuking private US contractors.

"The Congressman does not deny that there is admirable work being done by some employees of private contractors," spokesman Todd Jurkowski said. "However, he stands by his criticism of companies who have been found to cheat the American people, defraud our government, and unnecessarily risk the lives of members of our military, all in the name of making a profit."

14 March 2010

Two or so weeks ago, I posted a video of Fred Armisen doing his thing on SNL as an hommage to punk rock, but after watching the Eric Idle/Kate Bush episode on season four, Fred Armisen is retreading old territory (in a great new way, obviously). On this episode, Gilda Radner portrays a Patti Smith-like character named Candy Slice. I can not find the performance on YouTube, but it kicks ASS. Like, Gilda has a great voice and stage presence. Even if she is imitating Patti Smith (in 1978? SNL IS SO FUCKING AWESOME!), I would still buy the record.This video is of Gilda performing "Gimme Mick" live as Candy Slice in '79, which is also hilarious and legitimately great.

This website is a collection of things that were found in one of Andy Warhol's infamous time capsule boxes. Pictured here is a letter from Mumps singer Lance Loud to Warhol. Also in the capsule: an unopened copy of Sticky Fingers (for which he created the album cover), pictures drawn by his mother, news clippings of himself, and other assorted goodies. Really interesting for the Warhol fan.

10 March 2010

As all fourteen (one) of you know, I am quite intrigued by the downfall of Detroit, Michigan. If you didn't know, Detroit has been coming slowly to its demise, due to economic collapse and the downfall of the automotive industry in the United States.Well, the city is considering downsizing. The mostly vacant spots of Detroit, up to 1/4 of the city's area, would be turned into vegetable farms. The residents of these areas would be moved to "stronger neighborhoods," says the Washington Post article. People who used to come to work from the suburbs would be driving through the countryside, not the empty buildings of old car manufacturers, to get there.

Photo of the ugly/beautiful vacant Michigan Central Station, which I'm sure would be part of the Detroit Forest.

The actor who appears in several of my personal favorite movies, Corey Haim, died last night of a probable drug overdose. He was in Lucas, Liscence to Drive, Silver Bullet, and, of course, The Lost Boys. Though he was a bit of a prick in his latter years, he will still be missed. RIP Corey. Nice headband.

07 March 2010

Not just for comic book nerds like myself, this website hilariously dissects the forty worst drawings by comic legend Rob Liefield, whose style defined the '90s.

Here's number 20, which is quite a hoot:"Here’s a game to play: which one of those fingers is a thumb? Give up? So did Rob Liefeld!

The guy with the swords, as touched on before, is another of Rob’s creations, Shatterstar. His power is that he has swords and boxing headgear, and also that he has a star around one eye because Paul Stanley is totally a badass you guys.

Anyway, Shatterstar has all these swords all the time, and Rob Liefeld cannot grasp the basic concept of how the blade of a sword sits on the hilt. Or hey, maybe he just doesn’t give a shit. Here you see the blade kind of resting diagonally or almost perpendicular to the hilt, probably because he used a ruler to draw the blade and then was like “Hey I used a tool to make sure that line was straight, now kiss my ass, PHYSICS.”

In addition, either Reaper is tiny and Shatterstar is crouching down in to chop his hand off, or else he is jumping for no reason in such a way as to not gain any leverage or anything, just to be awkward.

About Me

About "I Like Turtles"

Life (the internet) is too interesting to hog for myself, so if I find something funny or interesting, I'll put it up here. Additionally, I hope to update my friends with what's going on in life or what I'm listening to or whatever.You can expect to find hilarious and/or interesting YouTube videos I have found or been shown, birthday celebrations for famous persons, political discourse, funny pictures, interesting news, and, of course, the integral "how and where I stalk Famke Jenssen" post.